The Marine Corps is soliciting nominations for the CY2026 LtCol William G. Leftwich Trophy for Outstanding Leadership. This annual award recognizes the best Ground Combat Arms company or battery commander in the Marine Corps. COMMARFORRES is authorized to nominate up to two officers from the Reserve component.
Heads up: Reserve commands have until 19 February 2027 to submit nomination packages to DC, PP&O.
Who it affects
This is a narrow but significant window for Reserve leaders. The nominee must be a Marine Captain serving in a Ground Combat Arms MOS as a company or battery commander within the Ground Combat Element of the Operating Forces during January through December 2026. Majors and Major selectees are also eligible, provided the actions being nominated occurred while they held the rank of Captain during that same window. Previous nominees who were not selected can be re-nominated if they still meet the criteria. Previous winners are not eligible.
What you need to do
This is an action item for commanders and their staffs, not individual Marines.
If you are in a position to identify or sponsor a nominee:
- Confirm the officer meets all prerequisites: Ground Combat Arms Captain (or Major/Major selectee with actions as a Captain), served as a company or battery commander in the Operating Forces, January through December 2026, and has not previously won the award.
- Build the nomination package: an official photograph taken within 12 months of the board date (early March 2027), biographical information, and a summary of performance during the eligibility period.
- Compile the package as a single legible PDF.
- Submit via email to all POCs listed in the MARADMIN NLT 19 February 2027. The package must include the nominating unit's address, POC name, and phone number (both commercial and DSN).
Deployed Marines' packages should route through their deployed chain of command before reaching DC, PP&O.
COMMARFORRES may submit up to two nominees total.
Key dates
- Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2026: Eligibility window (actions must fall within this period)
- 19 February 2027: Nomination packages due to DC, PP&O
- Early March 2027: Selection board convenes
The official version
This is MARADMIN 527/26. The governing order is MCO 1650.60, Marine Corps Ground Awards Program.
POC questions can go to:
eugene.a.benson@usmc.mil/ (703) 692-4303nickolas.whitefield@usmc.mil/ (703) 614-4183robert.viehmeyer@usmc.mil/ (703) 614-4510andy.darnell@usmc.mil/ (703) 614-3432kevin.m.brown@usmc.mil/ (703) 697-0224
This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.